An Ethiopian woman in her 20s suddenly disappeared during the Expo's international exchange program. The incident began in late July.
The woman arrived in Japan on July 18 as part of a music group. She performed on stage at the Expo site, but… in the early morning of July 25th, the final day of the program, she left her accommodation in Katano City alone.
She was seen asking for directions to Tokyo. She was guided to a station near the accommodation. After that, her whereabouts became unknown.
It was only this month, over a month later, that it was confirmed the woman was safe.
Why did the woman suddenly vanish?
Ethiopian woman: “While the Expo was my reason for coming to Japan, I was facing persecution back home and had been considering applying for refugee status. When I got the chance to come to the Expo, I decided to apply for refugee status. To do that, I fled in fear, telling no one, leaving behind even the clothes and suitcase I brought, with only the clothes on my back.”
The woman had come to Japan on an “Entertainment” visa for performing activities. It was obtaining this “Entertainment” visa that made her decide to apply for refugee status in Japan.
After escaping alone from the Osaka lodging facility, the Ethiopian woman reportedly reached Tokyo that same day. At the time, she possessed only a few tens of thousands of yen and her smartphone. For several days, she survived by sleeping on benches near train stations.
The woman later applied for refugee status at the Immigration Services Agency with support from Ethiopian residents in Japan.
When asked to describe specifically what she meant by “fear of persecution”…
Ethiopian woman: “I'm sorry. I cannot speak clearly about it. I have reported to the immigration authorities what I would likely face in my home country. I cannot discuss matters of privacy. I feel anxious now. I am not working, and I cannot freely engage in activities in Japan either.”
Last year, 107 ethiopians obtained a refugee status in Japan.
Youtube: https://youtu.be/J_xk47ONaDs
by Gullible-Cell8562